Process, kit, and implant for correction of a bone injury

ABSTRACT

There is a process for correcting a bone injury, an implant for correcting the bone injury and a kit for applying the implant for correcting the bone injury. The process can be made substantially uniform with the application of a standardized kit. In at least one application the process is for correcting a bunion on a patient. The process can include applying a first drill guide to a bone, and then a second drill guide. Once the drill guides have been applied and wires have been inserted into a bone, an implant can then be applied to correct a bone injury and to allow the bone injury to heal.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/537,335, filed Aug. 9, 2019, and entitled Process, Kit, and Implant for Correction of a Bone Injury, which claims priority benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/717,862, filed Aug. 12, 2018, and entitled Process, Kit, and Implant for Correction of a Bone Injury, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

At least one embodiment of the invention relates to a bunion correction system which is configured to correct a bunion by realigning a metatarsal section of a foot. Many times, with bunions, there is a rotational deformity with a metatarsal wherein the angle should be closer to 10 degrees. With a bad bunion the angle of rotation could be closer to 20 degrees. Therefore, there is a need for an implant and a treatment process for treating a bunion on a foot.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

As indicated above, there is a need to fix a bunion with a pre-designed treatment process. This process can include both an implant and a kit for applying an implant as well. With respect to the process, a patient's foot or body part is scanned. Next, a scan is sent to a doctor wherein the patient's bone structure is reviewed based upon an internal scan. With bunions, there is a deformity of the metatarsal. With a healthy individual, the normal angle between the 1st and 2nd toes (IM angle) should be closer to 10 degrees. In severe bunions it could be over 20 degrees. In addition, with bunions, there is a rotational deformity. The sesamoids (under the head of the metatarsal) is not directly under the bone where it belongs. Thus, treatment requires that a professional determine what angle cut to make on the bone, and how much is needed to rotate the sesamoids, to bring them directly plantar under the metatarsal head and to bring the angle back to 10 degrees.

Once a professional can determine this, a CAD can be used to design cutting guides that marry with a plate to guide a surgeon to make the exact correction pre-planned in the analysis. The guides and the plate are 3D printed.

For example, guides are placed on the bone (they only fit in one place since they match perfectly the profile of the metatarsal. These guides are held in place with wires that are inserted into the bone. The wire holes are in a specific location to match with the plate to make the required correction. In addition, the guides also have a slot to ensure the angle of cut is accurate. The guides do not have a slot to cut, but small holes to make provisional marks in the bone to cut later.

Next, the guides are two pieces so that it can be removed once the kwires are in place for example, the kwires are not in the same plane.

Another guide is placed to guide the surgeon where to remove a small piece of bone (recess) to allow for the bottom of the plate fit on the bone). One the plate, is set, the matching screw hole is recessed to avoid soft tissue irritation.

Next, the surgeon removes the guides and makes the osteotomy but leaves the kwires in place.

Next, the surgeon places the implant on the bone. The implant is in the form of a plate however, it has holes in it to accept the wires. But to make the plate fit against the bone, he must rotate the head of the metatarsal until the wires can enter the plate holes. Again, all of this is preplanned, using a kit thus, the surgeon can predetermine how much this will rotate the sesamoids and re-angle the bone. Finally, an underlying implant plate is secured with screws.

The process can use an implant for fusing bone together. The implant can comprise at least one plate having a first end section, a second end section and a middle section. There are a plurality of holes comprising a set of wire holes, and a set of screw holes wherein the wire holes are configured to receive wires used to place the implant on a bone, and wherein the screw holes are configured to receive screws to secure the implant to a bone.

The implant can be part of a kit for setting an implant comprising a first drill guide used to set wires in a bone, and a second drill guide used to remove a portion of the bone.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description considered in connection with the accompanying drawings which disclose at least one embodiment of the present invention. It should be understood, however, that the drawings are designed for the purpose of illustration only and not as a definition of the limits of the invention.

In the drawings, wherein similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views:

FIG. 1A is a top view of a first drill guide for use with an implant for use on a toe;

FIG. 1B is a top view of a foot which may need repair;

FIG. 1C is a side view of a foot;

FIG. 2A is a side view of a foot with a first drill guide;

FIG. 2B is a side view of a foot with the drill guide of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 2C is a view of a foot with a second drill guide;

FIG. 3A is a side view of a toe with the drill guide inserted therein;

FIG. 3B is another side view of the drill guide as well;

FIG. 3C is another side view of the drill guide;

FIG. 4A is a side view of the drill guide with a portion of the piece removed;

FIG. 4B is a view of the drill guide that is being removed from the bone;

FIG. 4C is another view of a second drill guide being inserted after the first drill guide;

FIG. 5A is a view of an implant for coupling metatarsal bones together;

FIG. 5B is another view of the implant;

FIG. 6A is a view of the second implant;

FIG. 6B is a side view of the implant based upon detail A shown in FIG. 6C;

FIG. 6C is a side view of the implant;

FIG. 6D is a top view of the implant;

FIG. 6E is a side view of the implant;

FIG. 6F is a top view of the second implant;

FIG. 7A is a top view of a foot;

FIG. 7B is a side view of a foot;

FIG. 7C is a side view of a foot with the implant; and

FIG. 7D is a top view of the implant positioned on a foot.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

To correct a bunion there is proposed a kit comprising at least one drill guide such as drill guide 100 (See FIG. 1A), a second drill guide (See FIG. 2C) and an implant (See FIGS. 5A-7D). Once the drill guides such as drill guide 100 and drill guide 120 establish sufficient drill holes in a bone such as a metatarsal bone, the implant can be inserted and fixed to a bone to fuse the bone together.

For example, FIG. 1A shows a top view of a first drill guide 100. The first drill guide has a longitudinal line 100 a. Longitudinal line 100 a extends along the length of the drill guide 100. Drill guide 100 comprises a plurality of parts, including a first plate section 102, and an insert of the first plate section 102A. Disposed in first plate section 102 is a screw hole 103, another screw hole 105. A second plate section 104 also includes a first screw hole 107, and a second screw hole 109. There is also a central ridge 110, which extends along a bisecting latitudinal line 100B. Central ridge 110 includes plurality of wire holes including wire hole 111, wire hole 112, wire hole 114, tadpole 116, wire hole 118, and wire hole 119.

FIG. 1B shows a top view of a foot 90. Foot 90 includes a first main toe which is offset from another toe by approximately 16°. This condition shows the need for a correction of a bunion. FIG. 1C shows the side view of a foot 90 having an arch section 92. FIG. 2C shows a side view of a foot which has an instep section 94, and a base implant 120, coupled to a toe. Base implant 120 is shown in greater detail in FIG. 4C.

FIG. 2B shows a side view of the drill guide 100 coupled to a toe 96. This side view of drill guide 100 also includes a plurality of wires 113.1, 113.2, 115, and 117.

FIG. 2A shows a side view of toe which has plate 100 coupled to it. In addition, there is shown wires 113.1, 113.2, 115, and 117 extending out from plate 100. These wires are configured to secure plate 100 to an adjacent bone. FIG. 3A shows a view of plate 100 coupled to an adjacent metatarsal bone. FIG. 3B shows a view of plate 100 with the first plate section 102, and insert 102A, positioned adjacent to wings 106 a and 106B. There is also raised wire holes 103 and 105 extending out transverse to a front surface of plate 100 and a region of first plate section 102. These raised wire holes are formed as substantially conical raised wire holes. The insert 102 a is configured to form a tongue and groove connection with wings 106A and 106B. A central ridge 110 extends substantially transverse to longitudinal extension of plate 100. Central ridge 110 includes a plurality of wire holes extending along the extension of ridge 110. Second plate section 104 includes a plurality of raised wire holes 107 and 109. FIG. 3C shows plate 100 having longitudinal axis 101 a. This view shows first plate section 102 being separate from second plate section 104. In addition, wings 106A and 106B are shown as separate from insert 102A. In this view, second plate section 104 is shown being placed over wires 115, and 117 which extend out from metatarsal bone 92. In this view, second plate section 104 can then be removed from wires 115 and 117 via wire holes 107 and 109.

FIG. 4A shows another view of this second plate section 104 being removed from the metatarsal bone 92. Once this second plate section 104 is removed the first plate section 201 102 can be removed wherein plate 102 is slid off from wires 113.1 and 113.2 via wire holes 103 and 105. This leaves metatarsal bone 92 exposed with wires 113.1 and 113.2 as well as wires 115 and 117 exposed. Next, in FIG. 4C there is shown a second drill guide 120 being inserted onto wires 113.1 and 113.2. Drill guide 120 has a screw hole 127. Drill guide 120 is inserted onto wires 113.1 and 113.2 via wire holes 125 and 126. Drill guide 120 allows drill holes to be inserted therein such as through screw hole 127. Screw hole 127 extends substantially transverse to an extension of wire holes 125 and 126 allowing for a transverse extension of a screw which is transverse to an extension of wires 113.1 and 113.2 extending through wire holes 125 and 126.

Next, as shown in FIG. 5A there is a plate 200 which can be inserted over wires 113.1, 113.2, 115 and 117. There is also shown two different sections of metatarsal bone 92 a and 92 b which can be fused together with plate 200. There is also shown an additional bone 99 disposed adjacent to metatarsal bone 92 a and 92 b. Plate 200 is shown at least preliminarily coupled to these bones. Next, screws 240, 242, 244, 246, 248, 250, 252 are drilled through drill holes 222, 220, 203, 218, 216, 214, and 210.

As shown in FIG. 6A holes 208, 212, 219, and 224 are used to receive and align the plate via wires 113.1, 113.2, 115 and 117 which were put in place via the previous drill guides. This view of implant 200 shows a longitudinal axis 200 a and a latitudinal axis 200 b. Screw holes 222, 220, 218, 203, 216, 210, and 214 are shown, which may be threaded. Screw hole 216 is shown as being oblong to allow for some adjustment laterally, such as along or substantially along longitudinal axis 200 a. Screw hole 203, is shown in greater detail in FIG. 6B as well as in FIG. 6C. In these views this screw hole 203 is shown extending out from a surface or face of implant 200. As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6C, there are ends of the implant 204 and 206 which are at either ends along longitudinal axis 200 a. The shape of implant 200 is such that it is elongated with two ends 206 and 204, with two screw holes 220 and 222 at first end 206, and two screw holes 210 and 214 at a second end 204. Three screw holes 203, 218 and 216 are positioned in a substantially central region. Screw holes 220, 222, 218, 210 and 214 are substantially symmetrically round screw holes with a beveled edge and which open substantially transverse to a surface or a plane of an adjacent section of the implant 200. Screw hole 216 is substantially elongated, with a beveled edge. Screw hole 203 is substantially raised and angled away from an adjacent surface of implant 200. The angle of orientation of screw hole 203 allows for an angled screw to be inserted which extends at an angle substantially offset from a position of perpendicular to an adjacent surface 200 c (See FIGS. 6C and 6D) of the implant 200.

FIG. 6D shows a top or plan view of implant 200 which shows end 206, and opposite end 204, as well as screw hole 203 formed in a raised ridge 202. FIG. 6E also shows ends 206 and 204 as well as hole 203 in implant 200. FIG. 6F shows another plant view of the implant 200 which has ends 206 and 204.

FIG. 7A shows a foot 90 having an angle of offset for a toe being approximately 10 degrees. In addition, FIG. 7B shows an angle of rotation in the foot of 45 degrees. FIG. 7C shows the implant 200 being coupled to a metatarsal bone of a foot such as foot 90. There is shown screws 240, 242, 246, 248, 250 and 252 screwed into plate 200 and into metatarsal bone 92. These screws thereby secure plate 200 to metatarsal bone 92 allowing it to fuse together to fix an ailment in a person such as a bunion.

Accordingly, while at least one embodiment of the present invention have been shown and described, it is to be understood that many changes and modifications may be made thereunto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An implant for fusing bone together comprising; at least one plate having a substantially longitudinal extension, a first end section, a second end section and a middle section; and a plurality of holes comprising; a set of wire holes; and a set of screw holes, wherein said wire holes are configured to receive wires used to place the implant on a bone, and wherein said screw holes are configured to receive screws to secure the implant to a bone.
 2. The implant as in claim 1, wherein said first end section has a plurality of holes, said second end section has a plurality of holes and said middle section has a plurality of holes.
 3. The implant as in claim 1, wherein the implant has a longitudinal axis extending substantially along a length extension of the implant, and a latitudinal axis extending substantially along a width of the implant, wherein said plurality of wire holes are formed substantially along a latitudinal axis of the implant.
 4. The implant as in claim 1, wherein at least one screw hole is raised above a top surface on the implant.
 5. The implant as in claim 1, wherein said screw holes are beveled.
 6. The implant as in claim 4, wherein said screw holes are threaded.
 7. A kit for setting an implant comprising: a first drill guide comprising a plurality of parts, said first drill guide having a plurality of wire holes; a second drill guide comprising at least one wire hole and at least one screw hole; and an implant, comprising a plurality of wire holes and at least one screw hole.
 8. The kit as in claim 7, wherein said first part of said first drill guide has at least one insert.
 9. The kit as in claim 7, wherein said second part of said first drill guide has wings configured to receive said at least one insert.
 10. The kit as in claim 7, wherein said second part of said first drill guide has a raised ridge.
 11. The kit as in claim 10, wherein said raised ridge has a plurality of wire holes.
 12. The kit as in claim 7, wherein said second drill guide comprises at least one raised screw hole.
 13. The kit as in claim 12, wherein said raised screw hole extends at an angle transverse to a surface of said wire holes on said second drill guide.
 14. A process for correcting a bunion condition, comprising: applying a first drill guide to a bone; inserting a plurality of wires into said bone via said first drill guide; removing said first drill guide but leaving said plurality of wires in said bone; applying a second drill guide by coupling said second drill guide to said bone and sliding said second drill guide on at least one of said plurality of wires; and applying an implant on the bone by inserting the implant over said plurality of wires and then coupling said implant to the bone.
 15. The process as in claim 14, wherein said first drill guide is a multi-part drill guide, wherein said removing said first drill guide comprises removing a first part of said first drill guide and then removing a second part of said first drill guide.
 16. The process as in claim 14, further comprising: taking a scan of the bone prior to said applying the first drill guide.
 17. The process as in claim 14, further comprising rotating the bone prior to said applying the implant to the bone.
 18. The process as in claim 14, wherein said applying the implant on the bone comprises screwing the implant into the bone via screws.
 19. The process as in claim 14, wherein said second drill guide comprises a substantially raised screw hole.
 20. The process as in claim 19, wherein said implant comprises at least one raised screw hole that extends substantially offset or transverse to an extension of said plurality of wires. 